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Reading & writing · Grades 4–6

The second pond count

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The second pond count

On Tuesday, a class counted twelve visible frogs around a pond. On Friday, they saw seven. Tomas said five frogs must have left. Aisha pointed out that Friday was cooler and that they had watched for only half as long. Some frogs might also have been hidden. The class changed its report to say that fewer frogs were observed on Friday. They planned another count using the same viewing points and observation length, while recording the weather.

Try it yourself

  1. How many fewer frogs were observed on Friday?

  2. Which claim goes beyond the evidence?

    1. Twelve were seen on Tuesday.
    2. Exactly five frogs left the pond.
    3. Seven were seen on Friday.
    4. Friday's watch was shorter.

  3. Name two differences between the counting sessions.

  4. Why is fewer frogs were observed more accurate than there were fewer frogs?

  5. Which feature did the class plan to make consistent?

    1. viewing points and observation length
    2. the exact weather
    3. frog behaviour
    4. the number of visible frogs

  1. Why record weather even if it cannot be kept identical?

Answers and marking notes

Answers and marking notes
  1. 5

    12 − 7 = 5.

  2. Exactly five frogs left the pond.

    Observed counts do not establish exact movement of the population.

  3. Friday was cooler, and the observation lasted half as long.

    Credit both stated differences.

  4. Some frogs could have been hidden or missed; the count describes observations, not the certain whole population.

    Credit detectability and limited observation.

  5. viewing points and observation length

    They can standardize the method, not the outcome.

  6. It may help interpret differences in visibility or behaviour between sessions.

    Credit relevant contextual information.

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